The photoreceptors are light-sensitive proteins using information associated with changes in the light spectrum and intensity to modulate critical photophysiological responses. The laboratory is using biochemical, biophysical and genetic approaches to characterized the diatom photoreceptors. The analyses focus on different members of the blue-light absorbing Cryptochrome/Photolyase (CPF) family and the Diatom Phytochrome (DPH), which triggers far-red light signaling. We are also characterizing novel photoreceptors functions identified by the in silico analysis of diatom genomes.